There is no doubt that getting him back was a master stroke, no matter who initiated it but he showed it in spades yesterday.

Rallying the players to do better before the game
Pumping up the crowd when we needed it
Played 40 minutes
Ran for an amazing 144 metres
17 tackles, only missing 1
Nearly breaking young Law in two and shaking him like a rag doll when celebrating at the end
Leading the victory song

I saw him after the game. He looked sore. A few of the players called in for a beer at my local (well deserved but not all were drinking). You could tell how much the other players and family loved him and how humble he was about it.

Quality PT.

144 metres. Atoni would take 3/4 games to achieve that.

I checked. Wish I hadn't.
In his last 3 games he made......108 in total.

In his defense the next two games he made 74 and 69 but still.

It's always been the way, if Big Dave plays well we play well. A true leader and talisman whose infectious nature just lifts everyone. Maybe just maybe we can give this season a dig instead of meekly dropping into the championship .

We have seen the Fifita affect on other players.

I don’t hold out much hope for Atoni however if DF can get around him, take him under his wing and mentor him in his time here it MAY well see an upturn in his form.

Energy and enthusiasm are contagious and that is spreading through the group and o would say the French lads are helping with that too.

Agree with the French lads did not take a backward step. Winger did not get chance to show is pace but was so fast of the mark when he got tripped,for the Leeds win him Pity Max lost is rooting when he tried to put him in the clear .The French forward looked strong and powerful ,pity ha got sent of ,was right decision., it was more like a body slam that Steve Austin would have used in American Wrestling

Our Talisman, what more needs saying

I reckon he also put a few hundred on the gate.
Even the Rhinos fans wanted pics with him at the end of the game!

Why would rival fans want a photo with him? Sounds made up to me.

Cos he's an excellent rugby player, larger-than-life character and all-round decent bloke who loves the inter-action with the crowd.....bit like Richie Myler...oh hang on a minute

The big fella has something special that fits Wakey perfectly.
Brilliant individual

LEGEND!

Well I went out on a limb and said it was a great idea for morale but wouldn’t work on the pitch but I was wrong, he’s hit the ground running and been decent in both games. He’s now got 2 weeks to build up some stamina and shed a few lbs while also lifting the mood at training.

He seems a really nice bloke, saw him talking to a chap in a wheelchair on Sunday afternoon as he going towards the changing rooms, then I was in the Trinity shop this morning and he walked in, I gave him a handshake and said it was nice to see him back, and allowed me to have a photo of us together, Top bloke